USA > New York > Erie County > Buffalo > An authentic and comprehensive history of Buffalo : with some account of its early inhabitants, both savage and civilized ; comprising historic notices of the Six Nations or Iroquois Indians, including a sketch of the life of Sir William Johnson, and of other prominent white men, long resident among the Senecas ; arranged in chronologial order > Part 27
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About three quarters of an hour after this. the remaining regulars commenced the embarkation, when I dropped down to the front of the line, with a flag in my boat to designate it as the leading boat. I was accompanied by Majors Cyrenius Chapin and John W. McComb, Capt. Mills, of the cavalry, Adjutant Chase and Quartermaster Chaplin, two pilots, and about twenty-five volunteers of Buffalo under Lieut. Haynes. I mention the names of these gentlemen because they had before decided- ly objected to passing at the proposed point by daylight, but when day appeared and one of the men raised some difficulty on that account, he was induced to remain, and it was unanimously agreed to incur the ad- ditional hazard and patiently wait the order of the General to put off. At daylight, we discovered the troops disembarking, and were informed that the invasion of Canada had been abandoned for this season; and the troops were ordered to winter quarters. A scene of confusion en- sued which it is difficult to describe-about four thousand men, without order or restraint, discharging their muskets in every direction.
About one thousand volunteers came in under Gen. Smyth's proclama- tion, but owing to the state of the roads, which was bad beyond exam- ple, many did not arrive until after the 1st of December.
It is impossible for me to form any estimate of the number of troops embarked at any time this morning-it yet scarcely light, and I was at one end of the line of boats, occupying a distance of half a mile.
When the volunteers first arrived at the Navy Yard, it was found that the regular troops had not yet appeared. Their officers were instructed to permit them to land and keep themselves warm by exercise, as the
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
boats were covered with snow, which had fallen during the night; but they were instructed not to leave the side of the boats, that they might immediately re-enter.
PETER B. PORTER.
BLACK ROCK, December 14th, 1812.
GEN. SMYTH'S PETITION.
The following is a copy of the memorial of Alexander Smyth, laid be- fore the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the 28th December, 1813, and by that body referred to the Secretary of War:
TO THE HONORABLE THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNITED STATES IN CONGRESS ASSEMBLED :-- .
The petition of Alexander Smyth, & citizen of Virginia, respectfully represents: That having, in 1807, written to an hororable member of the House of Representatives that, in case of war with Great Britain, he was desirous to enter into the regular service, he received, in 1808, an appointment as Colonel of a regiment of riflemen; that, although war had not commenced, yet the event being probable, he abandoned his pro- fession, which was then lucrative, left his family, vacated his seat in the Legislature of Virginia as the representative of thirteen counties, and joined the army of the United States; that your petitioner had the good fortune to give the utmost satisfaction to his superiors-Gen. Wilkinson, Gen. Hampton, Gen. Dearborn, and the late Secretary at War-while acting under their immediate orders, was promoted to the rank of Briga- dier and Inspector-General in July, 1812, given the command of a Brigadier in September, and one of the armies of the United States in October in the same year; that at the expiration of five weeks, during which period he made every exertion in his power to serve the nation, he found it necessary to put his troops into winter quarters-having de- termined on that measure as your petitioner had been absent from his home the last eight winters, much the greater part of the last five years, and the whole of the last fourteen months, and had been refused leave to visit his family in the month of July preceding, and calculating that it was probable the campaign of 1813 might terminate his existence, he, without resigning his command, asked for leave of absence, which was granted, until the 1st of March, 1813, at which time your petitioner was ordered to report himself to the Secretary of War; that your petioner
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left his troops in cantonments, under an officer of thirty-six years expe- rience, and in February, 1813, reported himself by letter to the Secre- tary of War, and solicited orders; and as the failure of your petitioner to. take Fort George, York and Kingston, and to winter in' Canada, as he was instructed, had created some clamor, your petitioner proposed that an inquiry into his conduet should take place, which the Honorable Sec- retary, through the medium of the Adjutant-General, was pleased to promise; since which time, your petitioner has not had the honor to hear from the War Office; your petitioner would represent that he has heard that some members of your honorable body are of opinion that, by an act of last session regulating the staff of the army of the United States, your petitioner has become a private citizen-and with this opinion his own might perhaps accord, were it not impossible to believe that the Congress of the United States, at their last session, could have inten- tionally committed an act of injustice; your petitioner affirms that he has not done or omitted anything to the injury of the nation; that his chief, if not his only error, has consisted in expressing too freely his indignation against those who had done injuries or omitted to perform duties to the nation; the motives which led him astray, he conceives, might procure, for this error, forgiveness; that this affirmation is true, he believes he can satisfy a committee or committees of your honorable body on short notice. Your petitioner has assayed to engage again in the pursuits of civil life, but finds that while the din of war continues, it is impossible for him to give the necessary attention to any peaceful pursuit. He de- sires to serve-to die, if Heaven wills it-in the service of his country -- a country that has protected him in his infancy, given him a family, and at times distinguished him with considerable honors; from whose govern- ment no act of wrong, personal to himself, will force his esteem, while it maintains with steady perseverance that country's rights.
Your petitioner confidently trusts that in deciding on his prayer, you will be mindful of the rule of justice-" To others do (the law is not severe) what to thy self thou wishest to be done," and of the rule of policy-" The social body is oppressed when one of its members is oppressed." The prayer of your petitioner is that you will revise the act organizing the staff of the army of the United States, and by a declara- tory act, preserve the rank of your petitioner as a Brigadier-General in the line, abolishing only his authority as Inspector-General.
And your petitioner, &c.,
ALEXANDER SMYTII.
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HISTORY OF BUFFALO.
It is believed Gen. Smyth's application to Congress was as unsuccess- ful as his military expeditions had been. He subsequently became a Member of Congress, where he soon became so obnoxious for his long winded, irrelevant speeches, that whenever he obtained the floor to speak, it became the signal for a large number of the members to take their hats and leave. The General, upon one occasion, took notice of this fact by saying, in his usual pompous manner: "gentlemen can re- tire if they please ; I do not wish them to hear me unless they choose ; I do not speak to the members on this floor merely, but I speak to poster- ity." An old member, not choosing to be driven from his seat, threw himself into an attitude of patient endurance and exclaimed: "go on sir, go on, your audience will be here, before you get through."
COPY OF A LETTER FROM MAJOR CHAPIN TO GEN. DEARBORN.
FORT GEORGE, June 13th, 1813.
SIR :- I have just arrived from my confinement in Canada, with my men, without my parole. Our return happened in the following man- ner: I received orders at Burlington Heights, on Monday morning, to go to Kingston ; we set off accordingly, under a guard of sixteen men. I had with me twenty-eight men. We all went on very quietly till four o'clock in the afternoon, at which time I gave a signal to attack the guard, which was stationed in the following order: a Sergeant and one man in the boat with my men, a Lieutenant and thirteen men in the boat with me and two officers. At the signal my men run along side of the boat I was in. Lieut. Showers ordered them to fall astern. I ordered them on board, at which time the officer attempted to draw his sword. I seized him by the neck, and threw him on his back ; two of his men drew their bayonets upon me. I immediately seized both bayonets at the same instant, and threw them on the top of the officer, and kept all down together ; at the same moment my men seized the guard and wrest- ed from them their arms. We then having possession of the arms, ·changed our course and arrived here this morning, half after two o'clock, :all safe. We have brought two boats with us.
I have the honor to be very respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,
CYRENIUS CIIAPIN.
MAJ. GEN. DEARBORN.
NO. 7.
From the Buffalo Gazette, July 13th, 1813.
On Sunday morning last, just before daylight, Cols. Bishop and War- ren, with about two hundred and fifty of the 41st, 49th, and King's Reg- iment, crossed the Niagara below Squaw Island, and marched far above the Navy Yard before any alarm was given. The detached militia of Black Rock being surprised, retreated up the beach, and left the enemy in the undisturbed possession of the village, who immediately burned the sailor's barracks and block house at the Navy Yard, and barracks at the great battery. They then proceeded to the batteries, dismounted and spiked three twelve pounders, and took away three field pieces and one twelve pounder ; and also took from the beach and store house a quanti- ty of whisky, salt, flour, pork, &c., but to what amount is unknown. While part of them were thus engaged in disposing of the public proper -. ty, the remainder went through the village, entering many of the houses, but we have not heard that they committed any outrages upon private property. Messrs. Joseph Sill, A. Stannard, E. Seely, and J. Caskey, were taken across the river. Major Adams, at the moment of retreat, dispatched an Express to Buffalo ; a part of his men came to Buffalo ; the remainder left the beach and made (for) the road leading from Buf- falo to Black Rock, and took post near the road. When the Express ar- rived at Buffalo, Capt. Cummins of the regular army, with one hundred infantry and dragoons, marched for Black Rock ; perceiving however, that the enemy was advantageously posted at the upper battery, with a superior force, very prudently returned to Buffalo. Capt. Bull had now collected his company, which was considerably augmented by volunteers.
From the first moment of the alarm, Gen. Porter left Black Rock for Buffalo, and was actively employed in arranging the subsequent opera- tions, and encouraging volunteers. The alarm came to the neighborhood of Maj. Miller's, (Cold Spring, ) and Judge Granger's (Four Mile Creek, )
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early, and in a short time thirty or forty volunteers came from the Plains. About twenty or thirty Indians, stationed at Judge Granger's, came down, and all the forces formed a junction within about one mile from the enemy. Gen. Porter, with about one hundred detached militia under Maj. Adams, took the left, the regulars and Buffalo volunteers (under Capt. Bull,) the centre, and Capt. Wm. Hull, with about thirty volun- teers from the Plains, and thirty Indians under Farmer's Brother, formed the right. It was expected that the enemy had posted two field pieces at the barracks to rake the road, and it being therefore imprudent to ad- vance the centre until the enemy were forced from their position, the right and left moved on the enemy's flanks, the left commenced the at- tack, which was quickly seconded by the right, the right being pretty well concealed, they suffered but little from the enemy's fire. After a contest of fifteen or twenty minutes, the enemy left his position at the barracks, and by the time the centre began to move, at the sound of the bugle he retreated precipitately, with the utmost disorder and confusion to the beach at the lower store house, and embarked in several of our boats, and pulled for the opposite shore. All the boats, except the last, it is believed, got off without injury ; but the hindmost boat was much exposed to our fire, and from the appearance of the boat, the crew must have been nearly all killed or wounded.
The British lost two killed on the field, five wounded, besides those killed and wounded in the boat. We took fifteen prisoners, which are to pass on to Batavia. Capt. Saunders of the (British) 49th, was mortally wounded while stepping into the boat ; he was taken to Gen. Porter's (house, ) where he now lies. He states that Col. Bishop was badly wounded and carried into the boat, and says also that several killed and wounded were carried into the boats.
Our loss, three killed five wounded, and probably a few militia taken prisoners. The killed were Jonathan Thompson of Caledonia, Sergeant Hartman of Riga, and Joseph Wright of Black Rock. Nearly half of the drafted militia (as Maj. Adams iuforms us, ) have gone home ; those who remained did their duty like soldiers. Young King and another Indian were wounded. The Indians behaved well. They committed no act of cruelty. They fought because they were friendly to the United States, and because their own possessions, which are very valuable, were in dan- ger of invasion. They are opposed to crossing the river to fight, but are ready to meet the enemy at the threshold in defence of the country which protects them. Major King was at Black Rock over night, and assisted in the action. It is now more than a year since the declaration of war,
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and this is the first attempt of the enemy to cross at Black Rock, and considering the repulse he has met with, it will certainly not redound to his credit, when his force was composed of veteran troops who had seen service ; and ours consisting of militia and new recruits, who had very few of them been in an engagement before. The next attack of the ene- my will probably be made at a different point. Some pains ought to be taken to give him a suitable reception. During the whole day the roads leading to Buffalo were filled with volunteers from the different towns.
Since the above was in type, we have been informed that the enemy took a quantity of goods from Sill's store, and from buildings which were deserted some plunder was taken. Two hundred regulars have just ar- rived in boats from Erie, and are, as we understand, to be stationed at Black Rock.
NO. 8.
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HEADQUARTERS, Fort George, Aug. 27th, 1813.
SIR :- In the last letter which I had the honor to address to you, I had to communicate the information that Com. Chauncey had left this part of the Lake. Yesterday an Express arrived from the Eighteen Mile Creek, stating that he was then off that place in pursuit of the British fleet, which was likewise to be seen. A body of volunteer militia and Indians under the command of Brigadier General Porter of the New York mili- tia, having arrived at this place, and very impatient to engage the ene- my, a plan was concerted this morning to cut off one of his pickets. About three hundred volunteers and Indians under the command of Ma- jor Chapin, was to effect this object, supported by two hundred regulars under the command of Maj. Cummings of the 16th Infantry. A heavy rain and other untoward circumstances defeated the primary object, but in a skirmish that ensued, in which the enemy was completely routed, our Indians captured twelve of the British Indians and four whites. Many of the enemy's dead were left on the field, among whom is supposed to be the famous chief Norton. Our loss was only two Indians and a few slightly wounded. Those who participated in this contest, particularly the Indians, conducted with great bravery and activity.
Gen. Porter volunteered in the affair, and Major Chapin evinced his accustomed zeal and courage. The regulars under Major Cummings, as
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far as they were engaged, conducted well. The principal chiefs who led the warriors this day were Farmers Brother, Red Jacket, Little Billy, Pollard, Black Snake, (Hank) Johnson, Silver Heels, Capt. Halftown, Major Henry O'Bail (Cornplanter's son, ) and Capt. Cold, Chief of On- ondaga, who was wounded. In a council which was held with them yesterday, they covenanted not to scalp or murder, and I am happy to say that they treated the prisoners with humanity, and committed no wanton cruelties upon the dead. The Canadian volunteers, under Major Wilcox, were active and brave, as usual.
I have the honor to be
Your most obedient servant, JNO. P. BOYD, Brig. Gen. Commanding.
Hon. JOHN ARMSTRONG, Secretary of War.
HEADQUARTERS, FORT GEORGE, Aug. 18th, 1813. Hon. JOHN ARMSTRONG :-
SIR :- Yesterday I had the honor to address you a letter detailing the conduct of the Indians in the late skirmish. Their bravery and human- ity were alike conspicuous. Already the quietness in which our pickets are suffered to remain, evinces the benefit of their presence and assist- ance. Permit me to suggest the propriety of immediately depositing presents for them, in the hands of Mr. Granger, of whose exertions, and those of Mr. Parish, I must express my approbation.
I have the honor to be, sir, Your respectful, obedient servant, JOHN P. BOYD, Brigadier-General.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM GOV. TOMPKINS TO THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
ALBANY, Dec. 24th, 1813.
Upon my arrival in this place to-day, I was met by express, bringing dispatches, of which I send you a copy. The express further informs, that on his arrival at Batavia, he learned from Major Allen, (the con- tractor's agent at Niagara) and from Lieut. Loomis, who, with two or three others, made their escape, that Fort Niagara had been attacked by the British. The garrison was surprised. Capt. Leonard (First regi- ment infantry ) had the command, but it is rumored that he was not in the fort at the time, but, with his family, some miles off. What became
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APPENDIX.
of the rest of the garrison, those who escaped do not know. In conse- quence of this information, Maj. Gen. Hall has been ordered to repair to that frontier with as many of his division as may be necessary to ex- pel or destroy the invaders. The British have with them a number of Indians, and continue to sanction their massacres.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM BRIG. GEN. TIMOTHY HOPKINS, OF THE NEW YORK MILITIA, TO GOV. TOMPKINS, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, &C.
HEADQUARTERS, BUFFALO, Dec. 20th, 1813.
SIR :- I would respectfully represent to your Excellency that on the morning of yesterday, the enemy crossed over a little below Lewiston, and every house from that place to within two and a half miles of Schlos- ser, and the Tuscarora village, is burnt. The last express states that the enemy were fortifying on the mountain below Schlosser.
The force of the enemy is differently represented. It is stated to be from four to eight hundred regulars and six hundred Indians. It is fur- ther stated that the enemy are still crossing. The force the enemy can bring is not precisely known. It is probably from fifteen hundred to two thousand, including regulars, militia and Indians. Our force is about two hundred regulars at Fort Niagara, and about one hundred and fifty near this place. I have ordered out my brigade to repel the invasion. I am in hopes of success, with the assistance of the militia of Genesce ..
I am, respectfully, &c., TIMOTHY HOPKINS, Brigadier-General.
EXTRACT OF A LETTER TO A GENTLEMAN IN ALBANY.
BATAVIA, Dec. 23d, 1813.
I hasten to give you a correct statement of the movements of the ene- my on the Niagara frontier, received here by express and by people that have removed to this place in consequence of their houses having been destroyed by the enemy. The first express arrived here on Sunday evening. He left Lewiston in the morning, at which time the British were crossing at the five mile meadows. Their force was estimated at seven hundred regulars and the same number of Indians. They immedi- ately marched to Lewiston, which was commanded by Major Bennett. The force under his command is stated to have been forty Tuscarora In- dians. The Major, after having given the enemy a few shots, set fire to
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the buildings that contained the public property, and retreated, leaving them in full possession of Lewiston. After having burned the village, and, as is supposed, murdered a great number of families who could not make their escape, they proceeded eight miles in the country, plunder- ing and burning every house. It is said that many women and children were murdered by the Indians. After these outrages, they proceeded to attack Niagara Fort. The various reports relative to the circumstances of this attack, render it impossible to obtain any correct information of the manner in which it was made, but it appears that the Indians rushed into the fort before our troops had time to discharge a single gun. The commander, Capt. Leonard, it is said, was four miles distant when it was taken by the enemy.
After they had taken possession, and murdered several persons after they had surrendered, they sent out a party to Schlosser and burnt that place, together with Porter's mills, and probably, ere this, they have plundered and laid waste the whole country for fifteen or twenty miles round.
By the last accounts, they were at the mouth of Tonewanta Creek, twenty-nine miles from this place and ten from Buffalo. The militia of this place have all been ordered to repair to the frontier without delay. There is fifteen hundred or two thousand assembled in this village all ready to march, except the want of arms, which are coming in as fast as possible. I have no doubt there will be five thousand men on the march in twenty-four hours from this time.
TO THE INHABITANTS OF NIAGARA, GENESEE AND CHAUTAUQUA.
The present crisis is alarming. The enemy are preparing to invade your frontier and let their savages loose upon your families and property. It is now in your power to avoid that evil by repairing to Lewiston, Schlosser and Buffalo. Every man who is able to bear arms is not only invited, but required, to repair to the above rallying points for a few days, or until a detachment of militia arrives. The enemy are now lay- ing waste their own country. Every man who does not take up arms, or who are disposed to remain neutral, are inhumanly butchered, their property plundered and their buildings destroyed.
Information has just been received that six or eight of their most re- spectable inhabitants between Queenston and Fort George have fallen victims to their barbarity. Every man in the province is required to take up arms, and he that refuses is inhumanly butchered. What, then,
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fellow citizens, have you to expect from such an enemy, should they in- vade your frontier? Think of the consequences; be not lulled into a belief that because you live a few miles from the river that you are se- cure; no, fellow citizens, the place to meet them is on the beach; there you will have it in your power to chastise them; but should they be suf- fered to penetrate into the interior with their savages, the scene will be horrid! If, then, you love your country and are determined to defend its rights; if you love your families and are determined to protect them; if you value your property and are determined to preserve it, you will fly to arms and hasten to meet the enemy, should they dare to set foot on our shores.
Since the above was prepared, I have received intelligence from a credable inhabitant from Canada (who has just escaped from thence), that the enemy are concentrating all their forces and boats at Fort George, and have fixed upon to-morrow night for attacking Fort Niagara-and should they succeed, they will lay waste our whole frontier. In that case our supply of arms, which are deposited at Niagara, will be cut off. Therefore, all who have arms, accoutrements or ammunition, will do well to bring them; and all who have horses, will come mounted.
GEORGE MCCLURE,
Brig. Gen. Commanding Niagara Frontier.
HEADQUARTERS, BUFFALO, 18th December, 1813.
GENERAL M'CLURE'S EXPLANATION.
TO THE PUBLIC :- The late descent of the enemy on our frontier, and the horrid outrages committed on our defenseless inhabitants by the British allies (Indians), being laid to my misfortune as commanding of- ficer of the American forces on the frontier; and although my conduct has been approved by the Secretary of War, the commander-in-chief of this State, and by Gen. Harrison before his departure, still I deem it a duty which I owe to my own reputation, in order to put a stop to the evil reports which are propagated against me, without knowing my or- ders, or the means which I had in my power to execute them, to give a brief statement of my most prominent acts since I had the honor of so important a command. On my arrival at Fort George, and previous to the departure of General Wilkinson, with his army, from that post, I sug- gested to the General the necessity of marching out against the enemy at Cross Roads and Four Mile Creek; that his army, with my militia, were sufficient to take or destroy all the British forces in the neighbor"
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